Submitted by Neal Gulkis
FORT LAUDERDALE — Throughout the year, the Victory Black Box Theatre, located on the 3rd floor of Fort Lauderdale’s L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, offers an impressive lineup of performances, classes and other fun events for the entire family. YMCA of South Florida events that take place at the Victory Black Box Theatre are open to both members and non-members. Many of these events are recurring.
The following are the scheduled events for May:
Victory Youth Arts Workshop – Saturday, May 4 & Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Typically held on the first and third Saturday of each month, this FREE workshop gives kids the opportunity to learn about different types of crafts, creative art, writing, sculpting and other helpful tools to help foster their development and provide them a well-rounded background.
The topic for May 4 will be “Be Lit,” which is a class in candle making. It will be led by May Reign, the owner of Moonflower Essentials, a self-care product line which is based in Miami Gardens.
On May 18 Talia Scott, MS, MA, LCMHC, will lead “Meet me at the Museum, an Introduction to Art Therapy.” Participants will experience guided meditation, art-making, and insightful discussions inspired by the artwork in a class led by Scott, a Clinical Mental Health Counselor & Art Therapist in Charlotte, N.C., as well as a Graduate Art Therapy professor at Edgewood College, Clinical Director at Compton Jr Equestrians, teaching artist, and Poet.
Victory After Dark Presents: Sistrunk’s Funniest Comedy Competition – Saturday, May 4, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Victory After Dark is a quarterly event featuring different forms of art at the Victory Black Box Theatre. May’s event will feature a comedy showdown, hosted by comedian Rayzor, featuring some of the funniest comedians in town, all competing for a cash prize. You can either compete and test your comedic skill level or be entertained by aspiring comedians.
The cost for this event is $30.
Cinema on Sistrunk Matinee – Monday, May 13, from 1 to 4 p.m.
This FREE event is held on the second Monday of every month, and includes a featured film followed by a discussion with Don Mizell, entertainment attorney who possesses a long history of working in the movie and music industries. He is also the cofounder of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA).
May’s movie is “The Great Debaters,” starring Denzel Washington, Denzel Whitaker and Forest Whitaker.
Adult Game Night – Thursday, May 16, from 6 to 10 p.m.
This FREE event is held on the third Thursday of each month. People of all ages are invited to partake in their favorite board and card games, past and present, competing against others. There is also karaoke, TikTok games and music with a live DJ.
For more detailed information on these events and to register, please visit ymcasouthflorida.org/victorybbt.
About the YMCA of South Florida
For more than a century, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of the South Florida community. As an award-winning nonprofit, the Y is committed to strengthening community through more than 200 programs serving everyone from six months old to 100 years young. Our Family Centers and programs are inclusive, vibrant hubs of community life, offering a diverse array of classes, cutting-edge fitness facilities, life-saving aquatics, exciting community events, unforgettable camps, supportive afterschool care, and holistic health and wellness programming. At the Y, there’s something for everyone. Join the movement by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or YMCASouthFlorida.org.
About the Victory Black Box Theatre
The Victory Black Box Theatre is a 2,000-square foot full-service event space located inside the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighborhood. With a seating capacity of 200, a professional grade audio system and theatrical lighting capabilities, the Theatre has the capability to host performances, company gatherings, graduations, classes and parties, and is available for rent. The name pays homage to the former Victory Theatre, which stood less than a mile from the Y, and operated as early as 1945 when it was the only theatre in Fort Lauderdale where Black patrons were allowed during segregation. For more information on the Victory Black Box Theatre, please visit ymcasouthflorida.org/victorybbt/ or email VictoryBBT@ymcasouthflorida.org.
